Just wanted to add the new photos to illustrate how you can mod and still look OE View attachment 43419 View attachment 43570
I don't know for sure. My mpg was already dropping by the time I put the aftermarket 15" wheels on. I was averaging 52-54mpg then but I was driving like I didn't care about FE. Driving the same way with the 17s but cooler temps I am sitting at 49mpg. I don't think I will be able to say anything with confidence until next summer when conditions are the same as when I was testing. There are just too many variables that I cannot control now. I can still get over 50mpg indicated if I want to.
Me, too. (But I have to get a couple of buddies to help me grab the tow rope to get the car back up the side of the ski hill.)
Actually, my current tank is running at 53+, indicated, for the past 260 miles. Most of this was driving through the country at speeds from 45 to 55 mph. Good speeds for great FE, even if there are many stop signs and stop lights. On the old Toyo Proxes, I think my indicated FE likely would have been around 60 MPG, so I know I'm taking a hit on the MXM4s. (For those who haven't followed the saga, after 60K I dropped the OE Toyo Proxes 17" tires in favor of Michelin Primacy MXM4s, and they are a huge improvement, except in fuel economy.)
No. Handling and traction are much better as well. MPG takes a hit, however, the MXM4 is a lot cheaper than the Proxes A20 so it's a wash in the end. Might as well get the better performing and SAFER tire.
Smoother, quieter, surer handling, better wet-weather traction, much better turning . . . BIG gas mileage hit. I've only been driving them through cold months, so I can't compare them to the Proxes for any other period, but the drop is somewhere around 10%. Once I've had them on for closer to 10,000 miles, I'll do a full comparison to the OEM tires.
Most or a lot of PC members seem to prefer the mpg's over the other gains from having 17's. I would say I wouldn't have have bought my car if it wasn't equiped. A read a lot of complaints on the Prius handling poorly yet why isn't it so obvious the 15" wheel/tire combo has a lot to do with it. I pretty happy with my combo, Persona 17's with Plus springs.
